01/03/09

Breathtaking Views

by Bilyana

I visited San Francisco a few times in the past and didn?t come across this beautiful spot unit the last time. After revisiting the usual places I leafed through one of the tourist booklet and found this spot. We arrived at the parking lot at the top of the hill in the twilight hours, so we couldn?t go up the tower but the views from below were still spectacular. The photos I took there have light and shadow, colors peaking behind a evening fog with the beautiful San Francisco background that reminds me of classical paintings.

12/30/08

Breathtaking Views

by Billiet

I visited San Francisco a few times in the past and didn’t come across this beautiful spot unit the last time. After revisiting the usual places I leafed through one of the tourist booklet and found this spot. We arrived at the parking lot at the top of the hill in the twilight hours, so we couldn’t go up the tower but the views from below were still spectacular. The photos I took there have light and shadow and huge play with the beautiful San Francisco background that reminds me of classical paintings.

11/13/06

A must see

by vynnp

I walked up Telegraph Hill to see this. I have admired it from down below for years, and the trip is absolutly worth it. 360 degree view of the city and the bay. Friendly staff to take you up. Beautiful grounds surrounding the tower. Please don't miss it.

10/25/06

An eye-catching landmark featuring WPA paintings and beautiful views.

by Contributor

The Background
As any tour guide will tell you with a sly wink, Lilly Hitchcock Coit, the woman whose money made the tower possible, really had a thing for the firemen who were often found at her mansion. As a tribute to the men who tried to save San Francisco in 1906, Lilly designated that her legacy be used for the beautification of her beloved city.

The View
The views here are spectacular, but if you want to look out from the tower's top, you'd best go during daylight, as Coit Tower generally closes at 5pm. Though the mural gallery and gift shop are free, it'll cost you $4.50 to ride the elevator to the top. If you don't like heights, look in nearby trees; believe it or not, a flock of wild parrots lives in the neighborhood.

• Pros: East to Find
• Cons: Tough to Park

07/02/06

Great views!

by ironeagle48162

My husband and I recently visited the Bay area from Arizona. We had forgotten that such large bodies of water existed! We saw the Bay, Alcatraz, downtown, and more from atop Coit Tower. The elevator staff was entertaining on the ride up. I had heard that parking could be difficult, so we decided to walk up Telegraph Hill from the twisted part of Lombard Street. I tell you what, we hike all the time out here, but Telegraph Hill had us sweating puddles by the time we got to the Tower! Wouldn't you know, we walked all that way and the parking lot was only half full?! Ah, well. We got a close-up look at the lovely architecture in San Fran, anyway. We could have taken public transportation, which was free on the day we visited due to a Save the Air day, but we were in the mood for some exercise after our 12 hour drive, and boy did we get it! Make sure you take your own water and snacks since, like most touristy places, that stuff is a ripoff at the Tower. The gift shop area was very tight, too, and a little difficult to maneuver around. If you enjoy views, Coit Tower is a must.

• Pros: Great views!
• Cons: Telegraph Hill was difficult to hike, gift shop tight.

12/03/05

A MUST

by meowwezemae13

I'd never heard of this place when my friend (from Fresno) suggested we go, while spending the day in San Francisco. I'd already done the golden gate bridge, fishermans warf, pier 39, cable car and chinatown but this took me by suprise. A lot of history to this place and not only in viewing it yourself along the bottom do you learn but the man working the elevator the day I went was full of information, facts and trivia.

• Pros: AWESOME view, FRIENDLY staff, VERY affordable
• Cons: had none we lucked, out with parking

07/17/03

Sites and Low Money

by tinalend

San Francisco has been my favorite city in the world. When I first went to visit the city I went to all the popular sites like the Golden Gate Bridge and Pier 39. However I skipped over the hype of Coit Tower. So when I came this summer again I decided to go and see it. It was amazing, even though the walk was long. Still the tower was very beautiful and the view amazing, especially at night. Overall it was a good experience. I do however suggest that you should take the bus up to the tower and even though the fee is of 2.50 adults and 1.50 children, it isnt that much.

• Pros: View, Price
• Cons: Parking, Bathrooms

02/17/03

Visit on a clear day

by grogglefroth

The view from this height is gorgeous. If you're a sucker for great views like I am, this is a must-see attraction.

• Pros: Incredible view
• Cons: Parking, Accessibility

02/14/03

The Sights From A Tower

by brownsugar_444

When I went to San Francisco for my vacation, I wanted to see everything: Golden Gate Bridge, Cable Cars, Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf. When my friend told me to go to Coit Tower, I was like what!!! Then suddenly I came to my answer and said okay. I'm glad I did. Coit Tower is one of th most beautiful buildings in SF. You could see everything from the tower!!! A gorgeous sight to see the city by the bay!!!

• Pros: Inexpensive, Great Sights
• Cons: Parking, Bathrooms

02/09/03

The Tower by the bay

by sfradravu

Coit Tower is such a beautiful place to see San Francisco from. I mean right there in front of you is the Bay Bridge, Golden Gat, Pier 39, fishermans Wharf and much more. I found Coit Tower to be such a wonderufl place to visit and had such great sites to view. However the facilities weren't that great and parking is very hard to get. I suggest taking a bus, taxi, or if you have enough power, walking.

• Pros: inexpensive, great sites, greta location
• Cons: parking, bathrooms, lines